Playlist Week of 2014-02-22

* Alegrias del Imbabura Vol.3: Conjunto Indigena Folklórico Indoamerica (Colossal LP)

* Messiaen: Des Canyons Aux Etoiles (Orc. Phil. Radio France/Chung) (DG 2CD)

* Sonny Clark Trio: The 45 Sessions (Blue Note CD)

* Grant Green: Idle Moments (Blue Note CD)

* Phoarah Sanders: Deaf Dumb Blind (Impulse! CD)

* Pharoah Sanders: Thembi (Impulse! CD)

* Dave Holland: Prism (Dare2 CD)

* Anthony Braxton & Gerry Hemingway: Old Dogs (2007) (d.1) (Mode/Avant 4CD)

* J. Morris/A. Fernandez/N. Wooley: From The Discrete To The Particular (Relative Pitch CD)

* Mary Halvorson/Michael Formanek/Tomas Fujiwara: Thumbscrew (Cuneiform CD)

* Ingrid Laubrock/Liam Noble/Tom Rainey: Sleepthief (Intakt CD)

* Ingrid Laubrock Sleepthief: The Madness Of Crowds (Intakt CD)

* Ingrid Laubrock & Tom Rainey: And Other Desert Towns (Relative Pitch CD)

* Kris Davis: Massive Threads (Thirsty Ear CD)

* Rodger Coleman & Andrew Dickson: Heeltop Home Studio 2013-02-21 (WAV)

* Possession + African Dub: Off World One (Sub Meta CD)

* Daft Punk: Random Access Memories (Columbia CD)

* Shelby Lynne: Just A Little Lovin’ (Lost Highway CD)

* Grateful Dead: Greek Theatre, Berkeley, CA 1981-09-12 (selections) (AUD CDR)

* Van Morrison: Beautiful Vision (Warner Bros. CD)

* Van Morrison: Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart (Warner Bros. CD)

* Van Morrison: Common One (Warner Bros. CD)

* Toto: IV (Columbia LP)

* Queens of the Stone Age: …Like Clockwork (Matador 2-45PM LP)

* Opeth: The Candlelight Years (Candlelight 3CD)

* Opeth: Heritage (Roadrunner CD+DVD)

* Boards of Canada: Trans Canada Highway (Warp EP)

* Zombi: Cosmos (Relapse 2-45RPM LP)

* Zombi: Surface To Air (Relapse LP)

* Zombi: Spirit Animal (Relapse 2LP)

* The Sword: Warp Riders (Kemado LP)

* The Sword: Apocryphon (Razor & Tie LP)

* Verma: Colma (Trouble In Mind LP)

* Destruction Unit: Deep Trip (Sacred Bones LP)

†=iPod/iTunes

‡=car

Commentary:

I apologize for the lack of content on the blog these days. I just haven't been able to focus on writing ever since I renovated my home studio. Let me tell you: playing and recording music is WAY more fun than trying to write about it! Nevertheless, I do hope to get back to it in some fashion as the year progresses.

On Friday, I got together with local drummer Andrew Dickson for a session. Now, I hadn't seen Andrew since way back in 2005, when we he last came over to jam in the old studio. In the intervening years, he turned pro, playing with Hillbilly Casino, Dale Watson, Andy Gibson and Jason Michael Carroll, touring the world and making records. Way to be, Andrew!  I'm not surprised, really, since he is an extraordinarily gifted drummer and terrific guy to boot. It was such a blast to see him again and make some music and we're looking forward to working on some projects in the future. Hell, I might even strap on the electric guitar and rock out a bit!

Work on the vinyl LP with Sam Byrd continues. I want it to be really special, so I'm taking my time. My nephew has taught me some me new tricks with Pro Tools and the latest round of mix-downs are sounding really sweet. Nevertheless, I want to make sure it sounds just exactly perfect before we progress to the mastering stage.

Speaking of which, Universal Audio just released a firmware update to my Apollo interface which includes a FREE plugin: their new emulation of the famed 610-B tube preamp. Wow! Man, you gotta love UA. Not only is their hardware/software first rate, they continually give back to their customers with discounts, cash coupons and totally free plugins. The coolest part of the new 610-B plugin is UA's "Unison" technology, which allows it to interact directly with the Apollo's microphone preamps, turning it into a virtual vintage tube console from the 1960s. Totally rad! Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to try that out during my session with Andrew but inserting the effect into the line-level tracks immediately imparted a deliciously warm, analog vibe. Yum! I might have to sprinkle some of this fairy dust on the forthcoming LP.

I'll keep you posted.

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SHAMELESS PLUG DEPT.

Interested in this music? Please visit my website, nuvoidjazz.com. You can download Rodger Coleman & Sam Byrd: "Indeterminate (Improvisations for Piano and Drums)" on iTunes or purchase the deluxe CD by clicking the link below. Thank you for your interest and support!